Found: The Yoga Retreat Where Drinks Flow as Much as Yoga

I’m all for a healthy dose of woo-woo wellness and regularly check in with my chakras, but I’m well aware it’s not for everyone. That’s why, when I heard Jessica Skye was popping up in Antigua for her first Fat Buddha Yoga retreat I knew had to bend over backwards to be part of the inaugural squad. Why such a rush? Because, at this retreat you can get yoga fit without compromising on cocktails, or the obligatory inflatable unicorn Instagram that a trip to the Caribbean demands.

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What’s the promise?

Skye has built her London brand on ‘making yoga accessible and fun’ and it’s no different 4,000 miles away in Antigua. For her takeover at Galley Bay Resort & Spa, she's designed an itinerary of both health and hedonism.

My first reaction

Normally I arrive at yoga retreats and I’m hit with incense sticks and wheatgrass shots but not here. A glass of champagne or local rum punch set the tone for this retreat: if you want to drink, you can. Alcohol and fun are not off limits. This is something that is welcomed by the millennials on the trip who already begin to wax lyrical about the non-restrictive approach. 'It’s barely begun,' I think, knowing that yoga teacher-cum-DJ Skye will have plenty more open-minded moments up her sleeve.

My accommodation

Galley Bay is one of Antigua’s hidden gems, which is probably why Georgia Armani, who made a name from designing elegant, easy simplicity, chose this location for his West Indian getaway (his house neighbours the resort). It really is picture postcard perfect: the turquoise water meets the pristine white beach on which sits premium beachfront suites. If you dream of being lulled to sleep by the sound of lapping waves and woken up by the sunshine peeking through the blinds, then I’ve found what you’re after.

The rooms themselves are big and airy and there’s more than enough space for a hotel room workout if you so wish. However, the chances are you won’t as when not at yoga you can SUP or kayak for no extra cost - one of the many perks of being at a yoga retreat hosted by an all-inclusive resort. During my stay I did both watersport options, although, my kayak experience was short lived when I realised I was missing out on the 5pm sunset yoga class - more to come on this.

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A typical day at Fat Buddha Yoga Retreat

Sunrise anything back home means getting up at least an hour before the class starts and schlepping across the city on public transport. The journey there often means the experience gets off on the wrong foot because quite frankly, the 73 bus that’s been in service all night and is now littered with kebab wrappers and potentially smacks of sick isn’t where you want to be at 5.30 am. But in Antigua, getting up before the sun isn’t a hardship. I simply set my alarm for 15 minutes before the start of yoga, pulled on my Lulus and then walked the 3 minutes to the beach-side yoga studio. From there on in the rest of the day was just as breezy. This is typically how it went:

07:30: 90-minute sunrise yoga class at the beach Yoga pavilion

09.00: Breakfast

10.00- 16.00: Chill time

16:30: 60-minute evening yoga class at the beach Yoga pavilion

19.00: Dinner

You’ll notice that in between the yoga sandwich there’s nothing but ‘chill time’. For some this meant relaxing on a lounger near the pool's cascading waterfall. Others parked themselves in a rocking chair to use the resort’s best wiFi spot. Me? When I wasn’t trying to stay afloat on a giant pineapple I could be found in the outdoor spa enjoying the full-body massage that’s part of the retreat package.

And the yoga…

One word: modern.

There are few yoga classes that I feel nail both practice and fresh playlist, but Skye’s does. Of course it helps that as well as being a yogi she’s a DJ too. During class, there’s no preaching and no yoga prescription. Skye regularly reminds you that yoga looks different on everybody and sometimes it’s not mobility that gets in your way but muscle mass. She’s encouraging but no task master and the music creates a fun atmosphere while also masking any fears of farting in downward dog.

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As an experienced yogi I started the week with the goal of mastering a handstand - something I’ve watched others do in class, but never worked on myself. And I did (sort of) achieve it.

@jusbusagain & @islandata

However, it wasn’t adding this asana to my arsenal that left the lasting impression but something much more chill: headspace.

In London, when I practice it’s either before or after the office, which means I spend a good part of the class trying to stop judging myself for how behind I am with my to-do list. But put a 9-hour flight time, a beach view and an out of office in between me and my responsibilities and I can tell you it’s far easier to connect with your body and forget business.

Food notes

Breakfast was a real treat. From tofu scramble to egg white omelettes to classic smoked salmon and eggs; to pastries and ‘monkey cake’ you could easily spend an hour creating your own breakfast tasting menu - and I did.

Lunch was taken at leisure. Sometimes this meant a pitstop at The Barefoot Grill for some cheeky American fast food, or at other times, a more elegant snack at Sea Grape.

Dinner, well, this was as fun as you made it. I started most evenings with a margarita sundowner and ate Caribbean style shrimp or Mahi Mahi. Other guests, tucked into the meet from the 'fusion Caribbean' menu and local rosé wine. Either way, all dishes and drinks were served with a healthy side of conversation and good times.

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The hotel gym is small, but does the job

A local running route to try

One morning I woke up with the urge to stretch my legs beyond the yoga mat. I soon discovered that this was a ballsy move: to run either left or right from the resort requires tackling inclines. They [runners] say that nothing builds strength faster than running uphill and my next-day DOMS could attest to that. Should you want to follow in my footsteps turn right out of the resort, run for a few minutes and then shorten your stride, keeping your feet low to the ground and remembering to breathe. I repeat: remember to breathe.

My insider tip

The retreat package includes a day out on a catamaran - it’s one not to be missed. You get to spend a day at sea being served rum punch, local banter and the odd sea life sighting. It wouldn’t be wrong to say it’s a much chicer, much cooler noughties-style booze cruise. Most evidence of the day posted on social media was accompanied by #bestlife.

What to pack

FBY retreat isn't like your standard yoga retreat where you dine in stretchy pants and post-yoga sweat. Here, it's like your normal holiday: pack your maxi and a red lippie as you won't feel out of place looking a bit glam.

Other essential items:

Yoga towel

Refillable water bottle

Thin shawl for savasana

Bug spray

Sun hat

Underwater camera (for snorkelling)

How to book Fat Buddha Yoga Retreat

The retreat is a pop-up so is not available all-year-round. The next Fat Buddha Yoga x Elite Island Resorts takeover will take place at Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua from 30 June 30—5 July (5- and 7-night stays available from £2599 per person*).

This rate includes return flights to Antigua and accommodation on an all-inclusive basis; daily yoga classes, sunrise and sunset, over five days; a 60-minute massage at the open-air spa; a day on a catamaran exploring the island and snorkelling, including lunch; plus a FBY goodie bag.

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